Sunday, April 26, 2015

Chic buffet lamps. An oxymoron? I used to think so, because when I think buffet lamps what comes to mind first are those boxed pair of nondescript stick lamps. Where's the fun in that?

Lamps, and lighting in general, are so important for setting the tone in a space. I'm a lighting fanatic and it saddens me to see how often lighting is overlooked.

Buffet lamps have their very own purpose in life. They are designed to illuminate that delicious spread you've laid out without taking up too much valuable space. They also look great on console tables in your entry or a desk, or anywhere else you've placed a narrow piece of furniture. Traditionally buffet lamps are tall with narrow shades, but why limit yourself to someone else's definition of what a buffet lamp should be?

Lotus Leaf Lamp
If you know me at all then you know I love this lamp. It's gold, it's nature inspired, and the lotus leaves give it a Chinoiserie flair. These lamps would be perfect on a lacquered piece.

The Green Room Interiors is a Chattanooga, TN Interior Decorator and we can help with all of your Design needs! Call Kim Lemmon at 423.653.3186 or email thegreenroominteriors@gmail.com. You can also visit my website to learn more about the services I offer and to view photos of recently completed projects.

Sunday, April 12, 2015

Hello! My name is Kim and I still blog here - just not as frequently as I used to.

I have a question for you. Do you like the look of upper kitchen cabinets at varying heights, or do you like them placed all on the same level?

It turns out I didn't really have an opinion on this until I was randomly perusing Pinterest for some kitchen inspiration. And then I began to take notice.

Obviously the kitchen above is in a transitional state but I find the varying heights of the upper cabinets a little unsettling.

This one doesn't seem quite as busy, perhaps because the wall and cabinet colors are so similar.

This is an adorable little kitchen, but I can't help but think I'd love it a little more if all of the upper cabinets were placed on the same level. Also, I didn't realize that I disliked those angled corner cabinets until this whole thing came about.

Whew! This is so much better (to me). I love the uniformity and how the trim above the cabinets ties into the crown molding. This is a great way to make your cabinets (and your entire kitchen) look more expensive.

PS The lighting!

Funny how I didn't even know this was a thing until I started looking.

I realize this is just a matter of opinion, and there is really no wrong or right, but I'd love to know where you stand on the placement of upper kitchen cabinets.

Thanks for visiting today! Remember, when I'm not on the blog I'm posting away on Instagram. You can also follow me on Facebook and Pinterest!

If you live in the Chattanooga, TN area and you'd like to learn more about the Interior Decorating and Design services I offer, please visit my website.

Sunday, March 8, 2015

First of all, a huge thank you to everyone that commented and emailed me with such kind words about my dining room project reveal last week. You guys make my day!

With the reveal fresh on my mind, I thought I would share my thoughts on dining room styling. Here's the thing. You need to keep it S.I.M.P.L.E. Are you surprised to hear me say that?

Think about it. You're having his side of the family, your side of the family, and a few of your favorite friends to celebrate ______________. You're going crazy with menu planning, shopping, thinking about who should (or maybe who shouldn't) be sitting next to whom, what wine to serve with that new recipe, and a million other little details that need to be tended to before the big event. Do you really want to go through the hassle of clearing lots of accessories off of every surface before you set the table and prepare the buffet? I know I don't.

Raise your hand if you love this dining room by Stephanie Sabbe as much as I do. I think it perfectly illustrates that simple can be dramatic. And you could get in there and set that table lickety-split.

In my client's dining room, a silver tray holds a collection of family ironstone pieces that is easily moved to set up for entertaining.

And that's why I like to keep things simple in the dining room. Agreed?

Have a great week!

If you live in the Chattanooga, TN area and you're looking for an Interior Decorator, please visit my website to learn more about the design services I offer and to view my recent projects.

Saturday, February 28, 2015

What an exciting day! I have a recently completed project to share with you, and this dining room is one of my favorite projects to date. If you're visiting today from The Pink Pagoda, surely you're a fan of classic blue and white interiors. I'm so glad you stopped by and thank you Jennifer for featuring my work!

First, I want to share a little background info. We've taken the slow, steady approach to decorating this home. It's a big brick Georgian style home - very traditional - which suits my clients' aesthetic. They love classic design elements and the husband has a keen eye for antiques. One of the concerns and challenges we addressed was their desire to keep their home from feeling too formal. They're a young family and they wanted their home to have a relaxed, fresh feel.

Here's the inspiration photo. The only inspiration photo. The wife knew exactly what she wanted.

No argument from me..This is gorgeous!

When the project began, I had this antique china cabinet and their dining table to work with. Here's a "before", as a reference point.

So I had the walls painted (Benjamin Moore's Niveous), which is the same color we used in their entry - it's a pretty, ivory white.

And then I had the walls professionally stenciled with this pattern. The blue we used for the stencil design is Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue. If you look in the top right corner of the photo above, you can catch a glimpse of Palladian Blue on the ceiling.

The antique sideboard is a Scott's Antique Market find, as is the Persian rug. My workroom made the sheer linen shades and I sourced the Italian silver candelabra, lamps and other accessories for them.

The husband found the chairs at auction (10 of them!) and, after some debate, I had them lacquered with Benjamin Moore White Dove and had the seats recovered with blue faux ostrich. The fabric choice was met with a little hesitation, but with 4 small children it's a practical choice that they should enjoy for years to come. The ironstone pots and pitchers and the silver tray they're sitting on are family pieces. I love their simplicity and pretty form.

We also recently refreshed their powder room off of the foyer. My client loves blue and white, so again we went with this classic color combination - but in a modern context.

In this room we added a chair rail with box molding below and a fun blue and white geometric print wallpaper. They opted to keep the white pedestal sink and brass fixtures.

There was just enough room behind the door to add this lucite console and a few baskets under it for easily accessible storage. I think every room needs something natural so the baskets and the framed pebbles add some soft, organic texture. I love the juxtaposition of the natural elements against the modern print of the wallpaper. Do you agree that contrast creates interest?

Once again, I thank you for stopping by to have a look at this fun project. And thank you to Jennifer at The Pink Pagoda for featuring the dining room on her blog. Have you visited her online shop? Lots of opportunities to add some classic blue and white!

Have a great week!

If you live in the Chattanooga, TN area and are looking for an Interior Decorator, please visit my website to learn more about the services I offer and to see my recently completed design work.

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Dear Amazing Potential Client,

First and foremost, I'd like to thank you for the (potential) opportunity to work with you in what is most likely your biggest financial investment - your home. I believe that your home should be your most special, most favorite place on earth. I also understand that it takes a pretty big leap of faith to put your trust in someone else to create a haven that reflects your personality, and I get how scary and how overwhelming the whole process seems to be.

Here are my suggestions to help you get the most out of our relationship.

1. Get me involved in the process as early as possible. The best possible outcome will be realized if we start working together in the planning stages, and certainly before any paint goes on the walls or any new purchases are made.

2. If there is a significant other, let's make sure they're involved from the beginning as well. It's a waste of our time and your money for us to come up with something you love but he/she hates. If both parties have input from the beginning - even if you don't share the same style, the entire process will work more efficiently.

3. I'm sure you've heard the expression, "If you love it, it will work". While there is some truth to this statement, it's not without limits. As in, "I fell in love with this comfy, overstuffed dark brown leather sofa AND I want a light and airy space that reminds me of my perennial garden in the spring". Now I'm not one to shy away from a challenge, but clearly this would be a huge obstacle to creating the feel you're working toward. (Refer back to #1.)

4. It's okay with me if you want to take the slow approach. In fact, if you don't have a lot of money set aside for decorating, you'll get better results if you decorate over time. I work with several clients who are decorating their homes over time - as long as a few years to complete a room. We're making changes and adding things as their time and budgets allow. The key is to have a design plan to guide us through the process (refer back to #1 again).

5. Trust me! This is tough for a lot of people - and I get how hard this is - but give up a little control and let me do what I do. It's my job and my area of expertise to visualize your space in a big picture sort of way, so let me lead you a few steps out of your comfort zone. Whatever it is you're unsure of will make sense in the end.

6. Be realistic about your budget. This doesn't mean we're going all high end everything. Quite the opposite. But there are some pieces that are worthy of a bigger investment. Like the sofa the entire family will be lounging upon. And we'll want to include a few custom items. Nothing elevates those thrifty finds like professionally made window treatments and a few beautifully made pillows in special fabrics. (Refer back to #4).

And finally, have fun with it! Decorating your home should be an exciting and fulfilling process, so relax and enjoy the ride!

Happy Decorating, and I'm looking forward to working with you soon!

If you live in the Chattanooga, TN area and you're looking for an Interior Decorator or help with a Design project, please visit my website to learn more about me and view my recently completed projects.When I'm not posting to my blog, you can find me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. I welcome you to follow along!

Sunday, February 15, 2015

No doubt you've noticed the resurgence in popularity for all things Chinoiserie over the past few years, probably (sadly) to the point of oversaturation. I remain undeterred. I've loved Chinoiserie design elements for decades (seriously) and even though I'm disheartened to see it become so mainstream, I'm not ready to jump ship yet .

Here's why I think Chinoiserie has staying power.

1. Chinoiserie prints are nature inspired.

Mother Nature has always been and always will be the greatest source of design inspiration. Period. So it stands to reason that if we continue to look to nature for design inspiration, then Chinoiserie prints and wallpapers will always be relevant.

2. Chinoiserie is whimsical.

Can you look at this without smiling?

3. Chinoiserie works with lots of design styles.

Here it is combined with modern design elements.

And here Chinoiserie is used in a traditional setting

Chinoiserie and Louis

4. Chinoiserie is bold.

There is such strength in the form of this Chinoiserie cabinet, yet it still feels refined.

And the strong impact of a trellis design is undeniable.

5. Chinoiserie is timeless. We have been charmed by Chinoiserie for centuries and will continue to be for centuries to come.

Bedroom by Oscar de la Renta circa 1983.

Would you change anything in this living room by Billy Baldwin?

I rest my case.

Thank you for visiting my blog today. I will post updates here as my schedule permits. In between blog posts, I hope you'll consider joining me on InstagramPinterestFacebook

If you're in the Chattanooga, TN area and you're interested in Interior Decorating or Design services, please visit my website.

Thursday, February 12, 2015

I blame it on the (late) 90's, when everyone and their cousin had a red dining room. Including me. Since then I haven't looked back or considered painting a room red. In fact, red is a color I seldom use or suggest to clients. Unless it's in small doses.

Ok, I did choose red as a teensy accent color in my hall bath makeover. I think it looks great with the turquoise walls.

I love how Meg Braff used red trim with this Chinoiserie wallpaper. Such an unexpected and bold choice.

And then I saw a snippet of this fabulous room by Kim Macumber in my sidebar as I was putting this post together. I haven't had a chance to comment on her blog yet, but I am so proud of Kim! This space is cozy/gorgeous!

One more:

Amazing red lacquer walls. Interior Design by Ashley Whitaker

Are you ready to incorporate a little red into your design projects?

The Green Room Interiors provides Interior Decorating and Design Services in Chattanooga, TN. If you'd like to discover how a well designed home can improve the quality of your life, call Kim Lemmon at 423.653.3186 or email thegreenroominteriors@gmail.com

He got no resistance from me - I quickly agreed that this was a great statement piece and certainly worthy of building a room upon.

Given the generous dimensions of the family room, I suggested we add another sofa to help fill up the space and provide plenty of seating for the family and friends who would gather here. Rather than go with a matching sofa, I suggested something clean and understated that would be compatible without competing with the leather Chesterfield.

I love the slipcovered version, and I recommended a linen slipcover for the warmer months and velvet for fall and winter.

The idea of having two sofas in the same room that are completely different can be a little tough to sell. After all, many of us were raised in homes that had living room, dining room, and bedroom "suits". Why? Instead, consider non-matching sofas for a layered and collected look.

Does this qualify as the same room? In any case, note black leather sofa sharing space with white fabric sofa.

This is what I'm talking about. Have I convinced you that opposite sofas attract? Or are you already a member of the Mixed over Matched club?

The Green Room Interiors provides Interior Decorating and Design Services in Chattanooga, TN. If you'd like to discover the joy of living in a well designed home, contact Kim Lemmon at 423.653.3186 or email thegreenroominteriors@gmail.com

Monday, January 12, 2015

Hey what do you think about Pantone's choice for the color of the year for 2015? It's Marsala, or as we common folk call it - burgundy. I personally have nothing against this color but I think their choice is strange because my mind always goes to the burgundy of 1992.

Who else sees this when they think of burgundy Marsala?

Well, the truth is you can use Marsala and have it look chic and current. Perhaps you prefer your Marsala in small doses.

Now that's not so scary. I rather like that rich burgundy against the white slipcovers. It's a welcome change from the obligatory turquoise, gray or black & white geometric that's getting so tired. And I kind of feel like burgundy and velvet are made for each other.

Ok here's a bold burgundy statement on a modern chair in an otherwise neutral space. I like this Marsala. And it's in velvet. It's a winner for me.

Can you even handle this gorgeous room with that sofa?? Burgundy. Velvet. Pink walls. And that gold leaf coffee table is so pretty against the Marsala sofa. This is a home run for me!

So what do you think? Does Marsala has its place in 2015 or do you prefer it stay in the 90's (and earlier).

The Green Room Interiors provides Interior Decorating and Design Services in Chattanooga, TN. If you'd like to discover the joy of living in a well designed home,contact Kim Lemmon at 423.653.3186 or email thegreenroominteriors@gmail.comWhen I'm away from the blog you can find me here: InstagramFacebookPinterest